At a Glance
- Tasks: Underwrite complex Surety risks and drive business success in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Zurich, a leading global insurer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, including a generous pension scheme and private medical insurance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the insurance industry while developing your skills and career.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in UK Contract and Commercial Surety underwriting is essential.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community focused on wellbeing and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.
Salary: Competitive salary plus an excellent benefits package!
Location: London – hybrid working with at least 3 days in our Mark Lane office.
Closing date for applications: 4th February 2026
The opportunity:
Are you an experienced underwriter in UK Contract and Commercial Surety, ready to take the next step? Or perhaps a senior underwriter with extensive experience looking to bring your expertise to play a pivotal role in driving the success of our Surety business at the heart of the London Market? If so, we would love to hear from you!
Joining our Commercial Insurance business in London, you’ll be a key member of our Surety Underwriting team, helping to grow our portfolio by delivering exceptional service and underwriting expertise to brokers and customers. As a Senior Surety Underwriter, you’ll take on significant responsibility for underwriting complex contract and commercial Surety risks, ensuring every decision aligns with our strategies, guidelines, authorities, and pricing frameworks. Your expertise will make a direct impact on the achievement of our Surety business’s strategic and operational objectives.
What will you be doing?
- The facility and bond underwriting within individual underwriting authority and for providing recommendations for approval by credit committee for facilities and bonds outside of individual underwriting authority.
- Participation on credit committees with authority alongside other credit committee members to approve larger facilities and bonds underwritten by Zurich’s UK Surety team.
- Negotiate bond wordings, indemnities and other recourse documents for new and existing facilities including negotiations with external solicitors and clients.
- Act as referral point for other members of the team for bond enquiries, indemnity and recourse documentation.
- Develop a pipeline of facility and bond enquiries through client, internal Zurich relationships, cross selling and broker relationships.
- Identifying and developing new surety products and target segments.
- Implementing new operational improvements.
What are we looking for?
- Proven experience in underwriting UK Contract and Commercial Surety business
- Strong financial analysis skills, with the ability to review and interpret financial statements to assess the creditworthiness of Surety clients
- Solid understanding of indemnity structures and how they apply in practice
- Collaborative approach and a strong team player
- In-depth knowledge of Surety bond wordings and associated documentation
- Ideally, a well-established network of contacts within the UK Surety market
What will you get in return?
Everyone’s different. That’s why at Zurich, we offer a wide range of employee benefits so our people can choose what fits them and their life. Our benefits provide real flexibility so our people can make considered choices and tailor their benefits throughout the year. Our benefits include 12% defined non-contributory pension scheme, annual company bonus, private medical insurance and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday.
Who we are:
At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet. With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are a long-standing player in the insurance industry.
We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future. If you’re interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.
Our Culture:
At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers, and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic.
We’ve an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.
We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest-established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.
So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us.
Senior Surety Underwriter in London employer: Zurich Insurance Company
Contact Detail:
Zurich Insurance Company Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Surety Underwriter in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of landing that Senior Surety Underwriter role.
✨Show Off Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your insights on underwriting complex risks and your understanding of indemnity structures. Let them see how your experience can drive their success.
✨Ask Smart Questions
During interviews or networking chats, ask questions that show you’re genuinely interested in their business. Inquire about their current challenges in the Surety market or how they’re innovating their products. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you want to be part of their journey.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Zurich and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Surety Underwriter in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Surety Underwriter role. Highlight your experience in UK Contract and Commercial Surety, and don’t forget to showcase your financial analysis skills. We want to see how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for our team. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your underwriting expertise and collaborative approach. Let us know why you’re excited about joining Zurich!
Showcase Your Network: If you have a well-established network within the UK Surety market, make sure to mention it! This can really set you apart from other candidates. We value connections and relationships, so let us know how you can leverage your network for our success.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our community!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zurich Insurance Company
✨Know Your Surety Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK Contract and Commercial Surety. Be ready to discuss specific underwriting cases you've handled, the complexities involved, and how you navigated them. This will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but have real-world experience.
✨Show Off Your Financial Skills
Since strong financial analysis skills are crucial for this role, prepare to talk about how you've reviewed and interpreted financial statements in the past. Bring examples of how your analysis has influenced underwriting decisions or risk assessments.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
This position requires a collaborative approach, so be ready to share examples of how you've worked effectively within a team. Highlight any experiences where you acted as a referral point for colleagues or contributed to group decision-making processes.
✨Network Like a Pro
Having a well-established network in the UK Surety market is a plus. If you have connections, mention them during the interview. Discuss how these relationships can benefit the company and how you plan to leverage them to develop new business opportunities.